Thursday, December 15, 2016

Peace on Earth and Good Will to All - Linda Kane

This is my normal third Thursday of the month post (Linda Thorne), but I am honored to have Linda Lee Kane be my guest on Make Mine Mystery. The title is hers, and this is Linda Kane's Christmas post:

This is the time of year those loved ones, both here and gone, should be remembered and cherished with joy and gratefulness. They are the very reason we are here to celebrate the holidays and to bring in the New Year. They are often the reason for the traditions that warm our hearts and allow us to truly appreciate the blessings we have each day. For what are we without our traditions passed down to us; putting up the Christmas tree, adding the ornaments, hanging the stockings. More traditions like making popcorn with cranberry strands to wrap around our trees. Let us not forget another tradition, watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. These are the things that help unite us all.

As you celebrate and ring in the New Year, I hope you take in the time and special moments to really appreciate all that the season teaches us. Love of our fellow man, kindness at its very best and hope for a better tomorrow. There is so much joy to be found in the smallest things, like the smiles that greet you as you rush by little children with their rosy cheeks and hope. I know that I will be thinking of all of you, my friends, my new friends, my family at this glorious time of the year. You are all a blessing to me that I cherish each and every day.

Linda Lee Kane has a master’s degree in education, school psychology, people pupil services, and learning disability specialist. She has authored eight books; two are mysteries, The Black Madonna: A fast-paced action adventure and an exciting, exhilarating read. Murder, mystery, and intrigue keep you on the edge of your seat. Chilled to the Bones: An adventurous and chilling ride where four high school friends find themselves embroiled in a historical mystery more than a century old. Secret codes, murder, and a lurking evil presence lead them to the point of almost no return. A page turner from beginning to end.

Yes, I do end up watching at least part of It's a Wonderful Life each year around Christmas. Ages ago, when I was a stringer for the Daily Herald, I had fun interviewing Karolyn Grimes, who played the little girl, Zuzu, in the movie.

What a splendid summary of Christmas traditions Linda Kane made. Many of us celebrate the season similarly but with our own family's variations-on-a-theme. Christmas is surely a mystery we don't understand exactly. At no other time do I see so many smiles on faces who appear to have a hidden reason. Joy is hard to contain.